Velozzi Collaborates with Nanoledge on Resin Solutions

30 October 2009

Bayer MaterialScience will collaborate with Nanoledge to provide a full range of high-performance epoxy-based materials to the composite market in North America.

Nanoledge will use its Nano In technology to integrate Bayer MaterialScience's Baytubes multi-walled carbon nanotubes into epoxy resin to improve the mechanical performance of composites. For example, Baytubes will be used to reduce crack growth and improve fatigue, impact and compression resistance, without compromising other properties.

Baytubes multi-walled carbon nanotubes can be added to a wide range of materials including polymer matrices or metal systems as a modifier or filler to improve their mechanical strength and/or antistatic properties, and are increasingly used in epoxy, thermoplastic and coating systems.

""We at Velozzi are proud to be at the forefront of producing body and interior components using epoxy, carbon fiber and nanotubes. Baytubes can increase the mechanical properties of our components up to 40 percent. We are excited to work with Nanoledge as a formulator of epoxy resin systems with carbon nanotubes,"" said Velozzi head Roberto Jerez.

""Strategic collaborations such as this enable innovations that leapfrog customers over their competition,"" said Joe Ventura, business development manager, Bayer MaterialScience LLC. ""Furthermore, end-users can bring their products to market with the peace-of-mind that they have a reliable source for multi-walled carbon nanotubes at an optimum price/performance ratio."" Ventura cited the collaboration with Velozzi, a new OEM, and Nanoledge as an example. The collaboration will support Velozzi's goal to develop a crossover vehicle, the SOLO, capable of achieving 100 miles per gallon. The carmaker is also designing a high-performance sports model, the Velozzi Supercar.